Town Manager Picks His Secretary As Windsor Town Clerk

September 14, 1995|By STAN SIMPSON; Courant Staff Writer

WINDSOR — Nine months after Town Clerk Mary Hogan resigned, Town Manager Albert Ilg has named his secretary to the post.

Starting Monday, Kathy Quin, a strong advocate of the customer service and team management approaches to government that Ilg started three years ago, will be the new town clerk. Her salary will be $45,000.

Quin, 54, was Ilg's secretary for the past seven years, but she had responsibilities beyond those of a traditional secretary.

Quin helped to develop the Whistle Stop Shoppes, in which a rail station and a freight house in the center of town were converted into a minimall. Those businesses later fizzled when interest waned.

Quin also has been involved in providing better services for people in the Wilson section of town, including relocating some town hall services temporarily to the Wolcott School. She is working now on plans to improve the telecommunications in town buildings.

From 1985 to 1988, she was an aide at the public library. In the early 1970s, Quin was a real estate broker.

``Kathy's experience with the town, coupled with her customer service focus, will enhance the current operation of the town clerk's office,'' Ilg said in a statement. He is out of town on business. ``We feel very fortunate to have Kathy continue her service to the town in the role of town clerk.''

About 40 people applied for the job, said Dede Moore, the town's personnel director. Deputy Town Clerk Marjorie Latus did not apply.

A few weeks ago, the leading candidate for the job -- a deputy town clerk in another town -- changed her mind, Moore and Quin said. Quin then expressed interest.

``I think it will be quite a challenge,'' said Quin, who lives in East Granby with her husband, Len, a retired sales manager. ``It's good to try something new. It's more responsibility, but I'm looking forward to it. You need somebody who will listen to the publc and try to provide the services they need.''

The town clerk is the keeper of records for the municipality. Among the duties are land records; vital statistics, such as births, deaths and marriages; issuing of licenses, assisting with election tabulations and the swearing in of elected officials.

Quin will be required to attend a special state-run program to receive her certification. She is pursuing a bachelor's degree in public administration from the University of Hartford.

Susan McBride, formerly the police chief's secretary and now a worker in the town clerk's office, will be Ilg's new secretary.